Chipotle detected ‘unauthorized activity’ in card payment network at its restaurants

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. disclosed Wednesday that it recently detected “unauthorized activity” on the payment-processing network that supports its restaurants. Although the fast-casual Mexican food restaurant operator said it has reported the issue to the authorities and payment card processors. The company believes the issue has been contained, and additional security measures have been taken, but the investigation into the matter is continuing. The probe is focused on card transactions at its restaurants from March 24, 2017 to April 18, 2017. The company said it is still unable to estimate the costs related to the issue, but expects costs associated with the probe will be covered by insurance. The disclosure follows Chipotle’s first-quarter results released late Tuesday, in which profit, revenue and same-store sales all beat expectations. The stock, which rallied 2.5% in premarket trade, has soared 25% year to date through Tuesday, while the S&P 500 has gained 6.7%.

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United Technologies’ stock climbs as profit and sales rise above expectations

Shares of United Technologies Corp. rose 0.8% in premarket trade Wednesday, after the diversified industrial company reported first-quarter profit and sales that beat expectations. Net earnings increased to $1.39 billion, or $1.73 a share, from $1.18 billion, or $1.42 a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted earnings per share came to $1.48, above the FactSet consensus of $1.39. Revenue rose 3% to $13.82 billion from $13.36 billion, beating the FactSet consensus of $13.49 billion, as sales from its Otis, Pratt & Whitney and climate, controls and security businesses all topped forecasts. The company affirmed its 2017 outlook for adjusted EPS of $6.30 to $6.60, which surrounds the FactSet consensus of $6.54, and sales guidance of $57.5 billion to $59 billion. The stock has rallied 6.6% year to date through Tuesday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 6.2%.

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PepsiCo. quarterly sales, core earnings surpass expectations

PepsiCo. on Wednesday posted quarterly sales and earnings that outstripped Wall Street’s forecasts. The food and beverage heavyweight said first-quarter net income was $1.32 billion, or 91 cents a share, compared with $931 million, or 64 cents a share, a year ago. Core earnings of 94 cents a share were above the FactSet estimate of 92 cents a share. PepsiCo.’s sales for the period came in at $12.05 billion, up from $11.86 billion in the year-ago period. Analysts expected $11.98 billion in sales.

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Akebia shares jump on expanded anemia drug deal with Otsuka

Akebia Therapeutics Inc. shares jumped in the extended session Tuesday after the biotech company said it expanded its collaboration with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., part of Otsuka Holdings Co. , on an anemia treatment. Akebia shares rallied 29% to $12.10 after hours. The company said it expanded its collaboration with Otsuka on the drug vadadustat to exend into Europe, China, and other markets. Vadadustat is currently in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The agreement expands on one where both companies would equally share the development and commercial costs of vadadustat for the U.S. market. Under the agreement, Akebia will receive at least $208 million from Otsuka with possibly up to $658 million in milestone payments.

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Edwards Lifesciences shares surge on earnings beat, outlook

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. shares rallied in the extended session Tuesday after the heart disease and critical-care-monitoring products maker’s quarterly results topped Wall Street estimates. Edwards shares surged 8.4% to $107.20 after hours. The company reported adjusted first-quarter earnings of 94 cents a share on revenue of $883.5 million. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast 82 cents a share on revenue of $777 million. For the year, Edwards sees adjusted earnings of $3.43 to $3.55, up from a previous range of $3.30 to $3.45, on revenue of $3.2 billion to $3.4 billion. Analysts expect $3.41 a share on revenue of $3.27 billion.

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Trump drops support for ‘border adjustment’ tax: report

The Trump administration has dropped support for a so-called border adjustment tax, the New York Times reports a day ahead of a tax-plan announcement by President Donald Trump. House Republicans have backed the proposal, which would tax imports while exempting exports. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week it was not “off the table.” Two people briefed on the matter told the Times it has been shelved but may be revisited later.

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Wynn Resorts shares rise after results top Street view

Wynn Resorts Ltd. shares rose in the extended session Tuesday after the casino resort operator topped Wall Street results for the quarter. Wynn shares rose 3.7% to $122.60 after hours. The company reported adjusted first-quarter earnings of $1.24 a share on revenue of $1.48 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast earnings of 98 cents a share on revenue of $1.4 billion.

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Ugg parent Deckers dips toe in water for sale, stock pops

Deckers Outdoor Corp. said Tuesday that it is exploring strategic alternatives including a potential sale, and shares jumped more than 7% in late trading. The company, which makes Ugg boots, Teva sandals and other popular footwear, said its board is considering a range of potential moves and has retained Moelis & Co. LLC as a financial adviser. “We have made significant progress in streamlining our cost structure, optimizing our retail store fleet, and realigning our brands, with the goal of improving profitability,” Chief Executive Dave Powers said in Tuesday’s announcement. Deckers plunged in February after revealing a weak holiday season, which included the introduction of a much-mocked combination of its Ugg and Teva shoes. Deckers stock, which has declined 3.3% overall in the past three months while the S&P 500 index has gained 3.3%, jumped more than 7% in late trading to hit $63.

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U.S. Steel shares drop 16% on unexpected quarterly loss

U.S. Steel Corp. shares dropped in the extended session Tuesday after the steelmaker reported an unexpected loss for the quarter. U.S. Steel shares fell 16% to $26.23 after hours on heavy volume. The company reported an adjusted loss of 83 cents a share on revenue of $2.73 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast earnings of 35 cents a share on revenue of $2.95 billion. “While our segment results improved by over $200 million compared with the first quarter of 2016, operating challenges at our Flat-Rolled facilities prevented us from benefiting fully from improved market conditions,” said U.S. Steel Chief Executive Mario Longhi in a statement.

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Cree shares fall 5% after earnings, revenue miss

Shares of Cree Inc. fell 5% late Tuesday after the company reported adjusted fiscal third-quarter earnings and sales below expectations. Cree said it lost $99 million, or $1.02 a share, in the quarter, versus a net income of $152,000, or 1 cent a share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted for one-time items, Cree earned $749,000, or 1 cent a share, in the quarter, compared with $17 million, or 17 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was $342 million, a 7% decrease from revenue of $367 million in the year-ago period. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected adjusted earnings of 7 cents a share on sales of $354 million.

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